Startups show off their ideas at eFactory’s Demo Day in Springfield

Friday was Demo Day for three startup businesses involved in Missouri State University’s 2021 eFactory Accelerator program.

The eFactory took a pause from its Accelerator program during the 2020 pandemic year, but it’s back this year. On Friday, representatives from Vendux, AgButler and MiddleCoast Solutions gave presentations at the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center in downtown Springfield.

Founder Henning Schwinum started Vendux, which is a matchmaker service that connects seasoned sales executives on a contract basis with companies facing growth challenges.

Schwinum said Vendux allows companies to get the exact sales leader they need while avoiding the cost of a full-time hire.

Kevin Johansen founded AgButler, which is a mobile application that brings agriculture labor into the modern day gig economy. It allows farmers and ranchers to connect with available laborers by location. Farmers can filter their searches by rating, work experience and availability.

Ali Lamphear is the CEO of MiddleCoast Solutions which is building HeroHub —  a sophisticated emergency response software that allows organizations to quickly and efficiently respond to natural or man-made disaster like cyber attacks, break-ins, fires and more. This company helps put plans in place for emergency situations and gathers data to improve the future.

The Accelerator is not merely a chance to gain mentoring advice from a dedicated consultant and sharpen business plans, it’s a deal. Companies selected for the fifth class of Accelerator startups each receive a $30,000 investment in exchange for an 8-percent stake in the business.